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Keys to History

This picture illustrates the winter camp of an Arctic expedition in the 19th century. The boat was converted into a true home on water. A roof made of planks and of canvas was built on the bridge; snow was used for insulation by packing it along the hull. To survive, the crew had to have a sizable reserve of food. Canning of food, invented in Great Britain at the beginning of the 19th century, made it possible to make lengthy stays in isolated regions. However, the process, which still had some imperfections, led to the death of some members of Franklin's expedition, poisoned by the lead found in the welded joints of this tinned food. The explorers could also obtain fresh meat and fish through their contacts with the Inuit. Time permitting, the crew could then pursue their hunt using dogsleds they had borrowed from them.